Your favorite scary (or non-scary) movies

Wednesday

Oct 16, 2013 at 12:01 AMOct 16, 2013 at 3:31 PM

Andrea Honaker

With Halloween just two weeks away, you’ve got decorations, costumes, candy and parties to get planned and squared away. But don’t forget to watch a few holiday-themed movies and TV specials while you’re in the spirit.

Halloween brings with it the mother-load of film options, many airing on TV and the rest available from your local video store. Whether you’re a fan of slashers or do better with PG movies, there are plenty available for your viewing pleasure. And while these movies would be good any time of year, they’re even more frightening and fitting in the days leading up to Oct. 31.

We asked Facebook fans to share their favorite Halloween movies or TV specials. From their comments and a few suggestions of our own, we’ve compiled a list of five scary and non-scary films to watch this year. Happy Halloween!

FRIGHTENING FILMS

1. “Halloween” (1978) The gist: Michael Meyers, who has been institutionalized for 15 years after stabbing his sister to death, escapes the day before Halloween and returns to his hometown. When to watch: AMC, 8 p.m. Oct. 21, 12 a.m. Oct. 22, 8 p.m. Oct. 30, 12 p.m. Oct. 31 Fan favorite: “Michael Myers still terrifies me, and it all started with the original “Halloween.” They only make blood and guts horror now. The old psychological thrillers are the best!” – Gladys Murphy Setzer

3. “The Exorcist” (1973) The gist: A woman calls on two priests for help when her 12-year-old daughter is possessed by demons. When to watch: AMC, 7:15 p.m. Oct. 25 Fun fact: “The Exorcist” was the first horror movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.

4. “Friday the 13th” (1980) The gist: Camp staff are stalked after reopening a summer camp where a child drowned and two counselors were murdered. When to watch: Find the 1980 version at your local video store. 2009 version on AMC, 8 p.m. Oct. 19, 8 a.m. Oct. 20, 2 a.m. and 6 p.m. Oct. 23, 12 a.m. Oct. 30. Fan favorite: “The music alone scares the mess out of me!” – Joanie Scarbrough Slusser

5. “Poltergeist” (1982) The gist: A young family is terrorized by ghosts, who kidnap the youngest daughter. When to watch: Rent it. Fan favorite: “Still the scariest movie I've ever seen!” – Ashley Hyleman Weidman

2. “Hocus Pocus” (1993) The gist: Two teens, a young girl and an immortal cat fight the evil doings of three witches brought back to life in Salam, Mass., on Halloween night. When to watch: ABC Family, 10 p.m. Oct. 26, 8 p.m. Oct. 27 Why it’s a favorite: “Not scary, but fun and festive, complete with black cats, witches, and zombies! If you've never seen it, you're really missing out!” – Melissa Ruppe

4. “The Addams Family” (1991) The gist: Con artists attempt to steal the Addams’ family’s fortune by producing a man they claim to be their missing Uncle Fester. When to watch: ABC Family, 8 p.m. Oct. 20, 4 p.m. Oct. 27, 7 p.m. Oct. 31 Fun fact: Anthony Hopkins was offered the role of Uncle Fester but turned it down (Christopher Lloyd was cast in the role). Cher wanted to play Morticia, but Anjelica Huston was chosen.

5. “Beetlejuice” (1998) The gist: A recently deceased couple enlists Beetlejuice to help them scare off the new owners of their house. When to watch: ABC Family, 9 p.m. Oct 25, 4 p.m. Oct. 26 Fun fact: The script started out as a horror film, but was later turned into a comedy.